TACLOBAN CITY – A plot to silence us.
Thus said Mariel Espinosa Marinay, sister and running mate of Rolan Kerwin Espinosa, of the shooting incident that wounded her and her brother, and a girl in a campaign rally in Barangay Tinag-an, Albuera, Leyte, on Thursday afternoon, April 10.
“Gusto nila kaming patahimikin,” she said.

MARIEL Espinosa Marinay shows the injuries she sustained during the shooting incident. (Mariel Espinosa Marinay FB)
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/10/kerwin-espinosa-shot-while-campaigning-in-leyte
Kerwin, a former self-confessed drug lord, is running for mayor in Albuera, while Mariel is running for vice mayor.
“Hanggang ngayon, nanginginig pa rin po ako pag naaalala ko ang nangyari kanina. Akala ko po talaga katapusan na namin,” she said.
(I am still shaking from what happened. I thought it was our end)
Reports disclosed that Kerwin was shot from behind by a still unknown assailant during the rally. Police said that he was “an intended target.”
Mariel stated that rather than succumbing to fear, they will continue to fight and serve honestly.
“Alam naming may mga taong ayaw sa amin dahil sa paninindigan namin. Ayaw nila ng katotohanan, ayaw nila ng pagbabago. Gusto nila kaming takutin para tumigil kami sa aming ginagawa.”
(I know there are people who do not like us because of our beliefs. They do not want the truth, they do not want change. They want us to be scared to stop from what we are doing)
She asked for prayers for her older brother who remains under observation.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia condemned the shooting. He also called for a swift investigation to identify the perpetrator.